Charity Focus
The Leprosy Mission
The Leprosy Mission (TLM) is a leading international Christian development mission, whose priority is a focus on leprosy, working in around 30 countries. Their work covers medical treatment, education, detection, rehabilitation, advocacy and the reintegration of people into their communities.
TLM was born in 1874 when friends of an Irish schoolteacher, Wellesley Bailey, and his wife Alice, promised to raise £30 a year to help leprosy sufferers in India and raised £600 in the first year. This year, its annual budget is about 6 million and it relies on the contributions of individuals, churches, trusts, legacies and government agencies to support their work. Click here for a history of TLM >>
TLM Mission Statement: "... to minister in the name of Jesus Christ to the physical, mental, social and spiritual needs of individuals and communities disadvantaged by leprosy; working with them to uphold human dignity and eradicate leprosy."
The good news is that leprosy is curable with multidrug therapy (MDT). However, although official detection rates for leprosy are declining (over half a million new patients are diagnosed and registered for treatment every year), leprosy is still a disease of our time. Many people often do not seek treatment for fear of social exclusion, so the actual number of new cases is probably much higher. Click here to learn about leprosy >>
The Leprosy Mission therefore considers it vital that their focus remains on leprosy. The goal is to eradicate the causes and consequences of this disease. They are committed to helping implement health education programmes, prevent disability and train patients to look after themselves.
Click here to see how TLM is helping around the world >>
World Leprosy Day
Since 1954, the last Sunday in January has been set aside as World Leprosy Day, which this year falls on Sunday 29 January.
World Leprosy Day is an excellent opportunity to focus on communities and countries affected by leprosy, and to join with people around the world in praying for them and those working to eliminate the causes and consequences of the disease.
Watch a short World Leprosy Day film by clicking on the picture below >
Leprosy Mission Prayer
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Almighty Father, the giver of life and health, look mercifully on those who suffer from leprosy. Stretch out your hand to touch and heal them as Jesus did during his earthly life. Grant wisdom and insight to those who are seeking the prevention and cure of the disease; give skill and sympathy to those who minister to the patients; reunite the separated with their families and friends; and inspire your people with the task set before The Leprosy Mission, that it may never lack either the staff or the means to carry on its healing work, in accordance with your will, and to the glory of your holy name. |
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The logo/image on this page are reproduced by kind permission of the charity.
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